Here at SPD UK, we take pride in providing our customers with a sustainable and eco-friendly product that has a wide range of uses in both functionality and design. Interior design trends can come and go in an instance, which can not only be expensive but also wasteful. We started asking ourselves if there was a way for sustainable materials, and cork especially, to find a more permanent place in the interior design world. 

The good news is that many of the interior design trends of 2020 are about making the most of existing trends that continue to evolve. Of course, this in many ways is due to sustainability becoming a focus of the design world. So be prepared to look for longevity in your choices and don’t be afraid to combine older design ideas with new ones. 

To help you make a start on your sustainable interior design projects, here are 6 eco-friendly interior design trends that are taking Instagram by storm:

1. Terrazzo Design Trends

Terrazzo began its life as a durable and cost-effective alternative to marble and granite used for commercial flooring. However, in 2020 this interior design trend is making its presence felt in the home in a range of different ways. 

Terrazzo is a composite material that is made from marble chips, quartz, glass, granite and shell. It is very easy to maintain and clean, making it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, the colours can be customised to create a bespoke design for you and your home. 

Terrazzo is the perfect choice for a kitchen worktop if you are looking to make a statement, like in the example below. Search #terrazzo for some great inspiration for this returning design trend.

2. Japandi Minimalism

As the name would suggest, Japandi is a fusion of elements of Japanese and Scandinavian designs. The design first appeared in 2017, but it is set to take the interior design world by storm in 2020/2021. This design trend also makes extensive use of sustainable materials. 

Japandi is all about simplicity, comfort and minimalism. The design trend incorporates a strong emphasis on organisation and functionality. Picture clean lines, zero mess or clutter and a muted colour palette. The two distinct styles combine well to create a perfect combination for a sustainable design trend. 

Japandi looks to be a strong contender for the most popular sustainable interior design trend with its muted colour palette and minimalistic style. Search #japandi for thousands of examples of this interior design trend. 

3. Upcycling Design

With eco-friendly design trends continuing to grow in popularity in the new decade, upcycling trends are also becoming more popular. While previously upcycling had a sense of shabbiness and a tired and worn look, fortunately, luxury and quality are no longer mutually exclusive with sustainability/ 

Upcycling is now being taken to the next level by designers and companies who are recycling discarded products into luxury collections. In addition, the bespoke and individually tailored approach is resulting in the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Upcycling can be done on any scale and can be a great way to experiment on your design while keeping the budget down and being environmentally responsible, Search #upcyclingdesign for some great tips and examples to follow. 

4. The Rise of Rattan

Interior design trends making use of natural materials is in no way new, but the new decade could see the resurgence of older staples and materials back into the mainstream. Rattan and wicker were a huge hit in the 1970s and saw extensive use, but now this design trend is set to make a big comeback. 

Rattan works brilliantly with earthy and neutral tones in your home. It especially works well with other natural textures like wood, wool, linen and cotton. The Rattan bed in the example below works great with the dark tones on the walls and the earthy bedspread to create a beautiful room.

Rattan decor being popular in Australia is to be expected, as it suits the weather and style perfectly. However, there is no reason this design trend couldn’t be applied in any home. Search #rattan and #rattandecor for some other great examples of rattan furniture. 

5. Biophilic Beauty

Biophilic design principles may not be new, but this trend is set to go from strength to strength as the new decade unfolds. With interior design trends delving back into sustainability and wellbeing, it is unsurprising that Biophilic design trends are becoming popular. 

Biophilic design aims to incorporate elements of nature into our interiors for a stylish look and improved health and wellbeing. Being more connected to nature is proven to make you happier and healthier and embracing biophilic design is a great way to counter stress and look after your mental health. 

There are so many ways to introduce biophilic design into your home, such as natural lighting, natural materials and including a lot of plants. Take a look at #biophilic and #biophilicdesign for plenty of inspiration on how to make your home more natural. 

6. The SINNERLIG Collection

Of course, you couldn’t expect us to talk about eco-friendly design without mentioning one that featured cork. The SINNERLIG collection was created for IKEA by the designer Ilse Crawford and featured a return to using natural materials, such as cork, ceramics and glass. 

The collection consists of over 30 pieces that are loosely categorised into three groups; working, dining and lounging. There really is something for everyone in this range, with prices ranging from £4 up to £379 for an Acacia wood bed frame.

With attention to the smallest details, these pieces are designed to engage our senses and connect us to our homes. If you enjoy your furniture to be made of materials in their raw state, not covered in veneers, then IKEA’s SINNERLIG collection will be perfect for you. 

Summary

With sustainability set to become a bigger factor within interior design, the demand for eco-friendly furniture is set to soar. Making the change to more sustainable products is an achievable goal for all of us, and something we should be aiming for.